Our Story

Alice Bell Baptist Church began as a mission of Broadway Baptist Church during the week of February 3-10, 1947, when Broadway conducted revival services in Union Chapel on Washington Pike with Dr. Ramsay Pollard as evangelist. The response by the community residents encouraged Broadway Baptist Church to sponsor a mission in the community that would meet regularly in the Union Chapel. The first meeting of the mission congregation on February 16, 1947, with 26 persons presenting themselves for membership in the mission church.

 Alice Marjorie Bell Shipe - During her lifetime, she was known for her Christian faithfulness and her kindness to children.  It was said that she would gather the neighborhood children in her buggy on Sunday afternoons and have Sunday School, and she would treat her pupils with cookies for learning their bible verses. She was an active member of Broadway Baptist Church. She was also instrumental in establishing Union Chapel in the neighborhood.

In a business meeting of the mission church on September 22, 1948, names for the church were suggested and then members were asked to vote for each name presented.  “Alice Bell” received the most votes.

1947-1948

Under the leadership of  Pastor Shown, Alice Bell Baptist Church was organized on October 10, 1948 with 71 charter members. 

1948-1951

On December 28, 1948 Rev. Turpin was called as pastor. During his ministry the first floor of the educational building was completed and the membership increased to 143 and the slogan
"The Church with a Vision." was adopted.

1953-1965

The church called Pastor Boston as pastor on June 10, 1953. The years of 1954-1957 showed the greatest increase in membership as it grew from 197 to 725. The parsonage was completed in 1953 and the annex building was finished shortly thereafter. This building was to serve as baptismal, recreational, social and Sunday School space. The first baptismal service was held in the annex on September 12, 1954.

1966-1972

Pastor Gibson was called as pastor by the church on March 6,1966. During his ministry a new sanctuary was built and completed with seating capacity of 550. Rev. Gibson served until February 3, 1972.

On March 25,1973 Rev. Guy H. Lawson, Jr. began his ministry with Alice Bell Baptist Church and served until 1977.
Rev. Billy Fox became pastor on July 2,1978 and served until 1981.
The church then called Rev. David Hanes on October 15, 1982. He ministered until June 15,1992.

1996-2001

On December 8, 1996, Dr. White was called as pastor and served until July, 2001. During Dr. White's tenure very much needed renovations took place in the educational building, fellowship hall, sanctuary and the church offices as well as considerable increases in membership.

2002-2015

Pastor  Everett was called to be Pastor of Alice Bell Baptist Church on August 25, 2002 and began his ministry serving this great church on September 23, 2002. During Rev. Everett’s tenure the church has been involved in many international mission trips to Honduras, Brazil and Trinidad, reaching many for the Lord.

In early 2011 the church, working with a structural engineer and architect, determined that we should vacate the west wing of our education building due to structural problems with a primary wall. After further structural evaluation and consideration of ministries that would benefit the neighborhood and help us to meet our ministry goals, the church determined that our best course of action would be to replace the building rather than repair it.
Falconnier Design Company was authorized to develop plans for a new multi-purpose building. It was to have classrooms, a new kitchen, and a gymnasium with room for future expansion. George W. Reagan Company was secured as contractor. Demolition of the west educational building took place on October 19, 2012. The new building was completed in August of 2013. The building was named the Alice Bell Ministry Center on August 14, 2013. It was dedicated on September 8, 2013.

2016-2022

Rev. Spencer was called to be Pastor of Alice Bell Baptist Church on April 3, 2016. He began as interim Pastor in April, 2015. During his ministry, he began His Court Missions bringing young people in to use the gym facilities and sharing the Gospel with them. He also led outreach to nursing homes and assisted living facilities and was very active with the senior adult ministry. He was also well known his singing ability and his "Song Sermons".
It was during his ministry that the covid epidemic hit. The church did not physically meet from March 11,2020 until June 14, 2020. During this time Pastor Spencer spoke on Sundays and Wednesdays at worship time and led weekly devotions by video on the church's Facebook page.
Pastor Spencer was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in 2018, he coped with it for several years but  in December of 2021 he stepped back from his pastoral duties, in February, 2022 the church awarded him Pastor Emeritus. He passed away March 28, 2022.

Alice Bell Baptist Church will be a local expression of the Family of God where all persons can find love. We want to help others to love God and others as the Bible teaches us.
We want to lead people to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ by sharing the story of what Christ has done in our lives. We want to offer hope to the hurting and helpless by finding needs in the community and filling them. We want to be a visible example of Christ in the community and around the world. We want to equip the saints of going through the process of becoming and acting like Christ.

WE IMAGINE A CHURCH WHERE:
 
PEOPLE HEAR AND RESPOND TO THE GOSPEL
PEOPLE WORSHIP HIM WITHOUT RESERVATION.
THE COMMUNITY KNOWS THAT WE CAN HELP AND CARE ABOUT THEM.
PEOPLE GET INVOLVED IN MISSIONS.
PEOPLE COME TO KNOW WHAT IT MEANS TO FOLLOW JESUS CHRIST.
PEOPLE DARE TO BE DIFFERENT AND LISTEN AND OBEY THE WORD OF GOD.
THE CHURCHES INFLUENCE CHANGES A COMMUNITY.